MLS lifts Cardenas red card; eligible Saturday

NEW YORK - MLS announced that an independent review panel – consisting of representatives of the Canadian Soccer Association, the Professional Referee Organization (PRO), and U.S. Soccer – has unanimously determined that New England Revolution forward Fernando Cardenas was incorrectly shown the red card in the 81st minute against Real Salt Lake. (VIDEO)

After examining the play, the panel determined that the referee made an obvious error in the disciplinary sanction, and MLS has rescinded the one-game suspension and fine for Cardenas.

“We’re very pleased Fernando Cardenas’ red card has been overturned and he will be available this weekend,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “When the red-card appeal process was introduced this off-season, teams knew that there was a high standard for the type of call that would be considered and that there were serious penalties for frivolous challenges.

“We’ve had what we’ve felt were a number of questionable calls against us this year. However, in this case, Fernando did not even make contact with the opposing player on Saturday and was still sent off for a ‘serious foul on a tackle.’ We disagreed with the call so vehemently that we felt we had no choice but to appeal. As the video confirmed and the review panel recognized, Fernando never made contact with the opposing player and his red card was correctly lifted,” Burns continued.